Brinker a key in Penn win

August 25, 2006|TOM WITHERSPOON Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Penn's Troy Brinker fought back from the brink of an early setback to beat Mike Koscielski, 7-6, 6-4. Brinker and the rest of the Penn Kingsmen held their strong resolve after a slow start to reign at home over Marian Thursday, 4-1. "He was always in good position," Penn coach Rick Dukeshier said of Brinker's effort. "He was anticipating and running down every shot." In No. 1 singles Koscielski broke Brinker to go up, 4-2, but couldn't put the Penn ace away. Adding to the Marian effort, No. 3 singles player Jake Chartier, though the shortest player on the court, gave a tall effort, pounding accurate serves and forehands on his way to a first set win. Completing the early Marian threat, the Knights' No. 2 doubles team handily won its first set 6-1. But Brinker and the Kingsmen came roaring back in what Dukeshier called a "dogfight." Brinker was the top dog, champing at the bit to get his team going. With Koscielski taking his time between points to remain composed, Brinker was intent on battling back into the match, pacing the baseline and rocking back and forth in anticipation of play to begin again. Brinker's defensive game wore down Koscielski, forcing him into many unforced errors. Shots by Koscielski that would have been winners against other players were chased down and returned by the tireless Brinker. Evening the match at 5-5, Brinker then faltered on his serve to go down, 6-5. But he proved to be relentless. Brinker broke back. On the game's deciding point, Koscielski was unable to get in position for an overhead slam, and two volleys later put a forehand into the net. In the face of Koscielski's powerful backhand, Brinker tottered in the tiebreak but steadied himself to squeeze out a 10-8 win. Both players struggled with consistency in the second set. Brinker put the victory away by frustrating Koscielski on his approaches to net. SINGLES: 1. Troy Brinker (P) beat Mike Koscielski 7-6 (10-8), 6-4; 2. Andy Hansen (P) beat Andy Krizman 6-2, 6-1; 3. Jack Chartier (M) beat Ethan Leiter 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. DOUBLES: 1. T.J. Snelson-Gautham Vaidyanathan (P) beat Kyle Shirk-Sean Juleen 6-0, 6-1; 2. Sean Donigan-Justin Olashuk (P) beat Mike Patty-Shiva Thriakel 1-6, 6-2, 6-1. JV Score: Penn 6, Marian 0. Records: Penn 4-0 (1-0), Marian 1-1 (0-1).